氦独立“反击战”，中国打赢了

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses China's strategic shift in helium production, highlighting the country's efforts to reduce dependence on imported helium and establish a self-sufficient helium industry, which is crucial for high-tech sectors like semiconductor manufacturing and aerospace [4][20][41]. Group 1: Helium Supply Crisis - In early 2022, several top Chinese universities and research institutions faced helium supply shortages, leading to significant operational disruptions [4][6]. - The price of liquid helium surged from 80 yuan to 400 yuan per liter within months, forcing laboratories to dismantle systems to recover helium for continued operations [6][18]. - China's reliance on imported helium has been a long-standing issue, with over 90% of helium supplies historically controlled by the United States [17][18]. Group 2: Helium Resource Identification - Helium is a rare gas primarily sourced from the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium, found in limited natural gas fields [8][10]. - From 2018, Chinese geological teams began identifying helium resources in domestic gas fields, discovering helium concentrations between 0.05% and 0.2% in several locations [22][25]. - Key regions identified for potential helium extraction include Xinjiang and Sichuan, which were previously overlooked [25][31]. Group 3: Technological Advancements - The extraction of helium from natural gas is complex due to the small size of helium molecules, making it challenging to separate [26][30]. - Chinese research institutions and companies have made significant advancements in helium extraction technologies, achieving stable industrial production by 2020 [30][31]. - By 2023, China had established multiple helium extraction facilities, with a projected annual production of over 300 million cubic meters by 2025 [31][34]. Group 4: Strategic Implications - The development of a domestic helium industry represents a historical shift for China, moving from reliance on imports to establishing a complete helium supply chain [36][37]. - The article draws parallels between helium and rare earth elements, emphasizing their strategic importance in modern technology and the need for self-sufficiency [41][44]. - With both helium and rare earths under its control, China enhances its position in global technology competition, reducing vulnerability to external supply disruptions [45][46].